Should We Prescribe Vigamox Eye Drops for Pink Eye?
May 6, 2009
I see many patients who are referred to me by pediatricians and ER docs, and it seems they all are taking some fourth generation fluoroquinolone like Vigamox eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis (or pink eye). What’s up with that? Is it just plain laziness to prescribe the same thing over and over? Or is it the result of drug rep pressure? I reserve these superdrugs to contact lens wearers. Otherwise, my patients with conjunctivitis get sulfa or gentamicin or some other cheap, old medicine. I wish doctors would take a moment before reflexively prescribing Vigamox and other very powerful drugs for what is a benign, self-limited disease.
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156 Responses to “Should We Prescribe Vigamox Eye Drops for Pink Eye?”
as i mentioned, conjunctivitis (except for sexually transmitted diseases) is a self-limited disease. it goes away regardless of treatment. if you are not a contact lens wearer, you probably have nothing to worry about. i cant say much about the sore throat.
Hello I have a question. I’ve been perscribed vigamox for a week and I’ve completed the weeks trial this past Sunday. I didn’t use the perscription Monday and as I wake up this morning I experienced a little bit of yellow discharge again. Now on Monday ..morning I didn’t experience this. It was actually the only morning I didn’t experience any discharge at all after waking up from a nights rest. Does this mean that I am relapsing already? Or is this normal since my eyes have been shut for about 5 hrs? I also have a sore throat and it has been like this for about a week now. It feels like a cold kind of but if it was a cold my sore throat should have stopped by now. I’m so confused, and I have no insurance with very low income so I don’t what to do. Please help me! Thank you so much.
also excellent choice
Dr. Weitzner,
Thank you for the fast response. Since I insisted on switching the doctor prescribed polymyxin-B/trimethoprimophth solution. What do you think about this medication?
i dont understand how one can get an allergic reaction on the body from vigamox, while the eyes, which are getting the drug directly, is unaffected. just doesnt makes sense- i would expect the eyes to get red, swollen and itchy, more so than the body.
anyway, if one is going to switch due to allergy concerns, it doesnt make sense to switch to a fluoroquinolone. so i think he should switch to tobrex. ask your doctor if he wouldnt mind that switch.
it would be cool to give your child vigamox again, to see if he got the same hives–that would really settle the matter. but of course, i understand your reluctance!! as a father myself, its no fun making one’s child a guinea pig! (i do ask my adult patients to re-challenge themselves with the same drop in these situations- they typically agree, as they understand the worse that can happen is they get hives again for a couple of days)
Dear Dr. Weitzner,
6 days ago my 2 year old son was prescribed Vigamox for pink eye.
After a day his eyes got better but after 3 days he got hives on his body.
The pediatrician and I decided to stop the Vigamox. The hives almost disappeared but his eyes got red, watery and with a yellow discharge again. The doctor prescribed Ofloxacin which has fluoroquinolone and it says that the side effects of
it can be hives. It is almost the same antibiotic. The doctor says it should be OK but I am afraid he might get even a worse reaction. What do you think? Should I start the new drops, continue with Vigamox or just wait. Thank you very much.
no scientific proof behind colloidal silver. just like no scientific proof zinc or vitamin c can help a cold. sure, they are widely used, and one hears all kinds of stories about how they help- but no scientific proof. an d remember- most pink eyes go away in about 5 days, so when people take any of these remedies, and they get better, they think it’s the remedy, but the fact is they would get better anyway. thats how these stories get started. like antibiotics for ear infections- turns out, the vast majority get better without them, yet for decades, we assumed it was the antibiotics.
What about the use of colloidal silver for eye infections as a more natural remedy?
still probably viral, but i see no reason not to switch now. But please consult with your eye doctor for a full evaluation.
Dear Dr. Weitzner,
One week ago my 18-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an eye infection. She started Bleph 10 and cleared up instantly. Five days later my eye displayed similar symptoms so I started the same drops. Because my symptoms rapidly deteriorated (swelling and yellow-green discharged), I went in to my doctor in the afternoon.He recommended continuing with the Bleph 10 for two full days as it helped my daughter, but to switch to Moxeza after two days if no improvement. This morning (Friday, after one day of Bleph 10), my eye is nearly swollen shut and the other eye is infected. The significant complication here is I need to fly on Monday morning with my daughter for a scholarship audition. I am most concerned about travelling and not having relief with my symptoms. I also woke up with a sore throat this morning. I appreciate the distinction between viral and bacterial concerns. Is there a problem with switching earlier to the Moxeza? I need to travel on Monday!
Thank you so much for your response!
sounds like this is viral conjunctivitis, and most likely no treatment is necessary. even though one should finish antibiotics once started, most likely it wont make a difference here, and odds are you will get better in a week or so. i assume you do not wear contact lenses- if so, all bets are off. I should that if you have any doubts, please consult with your eye doctor.
I forgot to mention that I woke in the middle of the night, sat up, and liquid just poured out of my left eye. The same happened the next morning. It wasn’t as bad last night. There was less discharge. I’m guessing that could be of importance! Thank you again.
I’m so glad to see you on here! My son and daughter had strep, and then my son had pinkeye (or so I called it). His pedicatrician prescribed the superexpensive Vigamox, which did clear up his eye… or at least his eye did clear after four days or so. Then I got the same about the time his cleared, only my lids are more swollen. I immediately started taking the Vigamox, thinking 7 days worth would be available with half the bottle left. My eye is just starting to get better, and I’m on day four with no drops left. I do, however, have erythromycin ointment. Would it be harmful to switch midway or quit altogether? I know it’s best to finish, but it is the weekend and that would mean clinic care with no insurance… eek! 🙂 I’ve also used colloidal silver on a cotton ball to wipe the eyes. The bottle says not to put it in the eyes, but it certainly is tempting! Thank you so much for your time and consideration in answering!!!
i suspect you have a virus. if the drop were the cause, i would expect to see quite a bit of redness, swelling and itching around the eye.
I was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer and put on vigamox. I told them I was allergic to Avelox, and I found out today that the two contain the same medicine. I have a low grade fever, some feelings of fullness in my head, especially around my ears and my affected eye has turned slightly yellow. My eye is getting much better, but now I feel just plain ill. Is this an allergic reaction or an unrelated virus? Thanks in advance.
very hard to answer this question. what is the disease? what did her ophthalmologist say?
in general, most drops not tested in kids, but typically, we use it in kids regardless.
This is all so Interesting and informative, I have a question is vigamox safe for my 11 month old grand daughter ?? Thank you very much.
i would prefer not to email you directly- it may imply a doctor-patient relationship.
only if the exam were suspicious for herpes would even an ophthalmologist consider that diagnosis initially (vesicles/rash on the lids; a lot of pain). hard to blame an ophthalmologist for missing that initially. if things not getting better after a week or so, then the ophthalmologist should not miss it. if the patient were seen by a non-ophthalmologist, then the odds of picking up herpes would be almost nil. this is why most doctors hate treating the eye and refer immediately.
the current regimen you describe is correct. hopefully, the scar tissue will be minimal and not affect the vision to any significant degree, which is usually the case. taking oral anti-virals indefinitely will probably reduce the risk of recurrence, but you have to discuss that with the ophthal. the virus cannot be eradicated- 95% of americans harbor the virus.
Dr. Ari Weitzner,
I wrote on June 17, 2010. As it turns out, my daughter was diagnosed with Ocular Herpes simplex, affecting her cornea. She has been on long therapy with antiviral oral, as well as ophthalamic drop, and steroidal drops too.
Why didn’t any doctor noticed that from when I complained her swollen eye? I actually forced the Urgent care doctor, after 2 visits within a week, to prescribe the antiviral and he finally did. I also requested of her pediatrician for a recommendation to an ophthamologist and he did. It’s September now and she’s been on antiviral oral, as well as ophthalamic drop, and steroidal drops too with close monitoring since there’s a corneal scar and ulceration (Herpetic Stroma Keratitis). I am a highly concerned mother. Any suggestions as to complete eradication of this horrible virus?
